Hi @fam8284, I understand your reluctance to take Prednisone, but most people who suffer from PMR experience a dramatic relief from symptoms after taking it. 5 mg sounds like a low dose - I think the usual for PMR is 15 -10 mg.
I had PMR, then GCA for a year, undiagnosed, so no prednisone, just constant pain and other strange symptoms. Was diagnosed with GCA after a temporal artery biopsy and put on 40 mg, with tapering down every two weeks. I was on it a year and a half, and have been off prednisone now for nearly a year.
My mother-in-law had GCA as well and didn't want to take the prednisone, but was told she could go blind or have a stroke if she didn't. She took the Prednisone and was cured of GCA eventually with no flareups,. She lived to be nearly 100.
I hope our stories help you make a decision.